Chapter 8
"I have, I am sorry to say, the gravest reasons for what I allege. That Green is a professional gambler, who was attracted here by the excellent company that assembled at the 'Sickle and Sheaf' in the beginning of the lazy miller's pauper-making experiment, I do not in the least question. Grant this, and take into account the fact that young Hammond has been much in his company, and you have sufficient cause for the most disastrous effects."
"If this be really so," observed the gentleman, over whose face a shadow of concern darkened, "then Willy Hammond may not be his only victim."
"And is not, you may rest assured. If rumor be true, other of our promising young men are being drawn into the whirling circles that narrow toward a vortex of ruin."
In corroboration of this, I mentioned the conversation I had held with one of the frequenters of Slade's bar room, on this very subject; and also what I had myself observed on the previous evening.
The man, who had until now been sitting quietly in a chair, started up, exclaiming as he did so--
"Merciful heaven! I never dreamed of this! Whose sons are safe?"
"No man's," was the answer of the gentleman in whose office we were sitting--"No man's--while there are such open doors to ruin as you may find at the 'Sickle and Sheaf.' Did not you vote the anti-temperance ticket at the last election?"
"I did," was the answer; "and from principle."
"On what were your principles based?" was inquired.
"On the broad foundations of civil liberty."
"The liberty to do good or evil, just as the individual may choose?"
"I would not like to say that. There are certain evils against which there can be no legislation that would not do harm. No civil power in this country has the right to say what a citizen shall eat or drink."
"But may not the people, in any community, pass laws, through their delegated law-makers, restraining evil-minded persons from injuring the common good?"
"Oh, certainly--certainly."
"And are you prepared to affirm, that a drinking-shop, where young men are corrupted, aye, destroyed, body and soul--does not work an injury to the common good?"
"Ah! but there must be houses of public entertainment."
"No one denies this. But can that be a really Christian community which provides for the moral debasement of strangers, at the same time that it entertains them? Is it necessary that, in giving rest and entertainment to the traveler, we also lead him into temptation?"
"Yes--but--but--it is going too far to legislate on what we are to eat and drink. It is opening too wide a door for fanatical oppression. We must inculcate temperance as a right principle. We must teach our children the evils of intemperance, and send them out into the world as practical teachers of order, virtue and sobriety. If we do this, the reform becomes radical, and in a few years there will be no bar-rooms, for none will crave the fiery poison."
"Of little value, my friend, will be, in far too many cases, your precepts, if temptation invites our sons at almost every step of their way through life. Thousands have fallen, and thousands are now tottering, soon to fall. Your sons are not safe; nor are mine. We cannot tell the day nor the hour when they may weakly yield to the solicitation of some companion, and enter the wide open door of ruin. And are we wise and good citizens to commission men to do the evil work of enticement--to encourage them to get gain in corrupting and destroying our children? To hesitate over some vague ideal of human liberty when the sword is among us, slaying our best and dearest? Sir! while you hold back from the work of staying the flood that is desolating our fairest homes, the black waters are approaching your own doors."
There was a startling emphasis in the tones with which this last sentence was uttered; and I do not wonder at the look of anxious alarm that it called to the face of him whose fears it was meant to excite.
"What do you mean, sir?" was inquired.
"Simply, that your sons are in equal danger with others."
"And is that all?"
"They have been seen, of late, in the bar-room of the 'Sickle and Sheaf.'"
"Who says so?"
"Twice within a week I have seen them going there," was answered.
"Good heavens! No!"
"It is true, my friend. But who is safe? If we dig pits, and conceal them from view, what marvel if our own children fall therein?"
"My sons going to a tavern?" The man seemed utterly confounded. "How CAN I believe it? You must be in error, sir."
"No. What I tell you is the simple truth. And if they go there--"
The man paused not to hear the conclusion of the sentence, but went hastily from the office.
"We are beginning to reap as we have sown," remarked the gentleman, turning to me as his agitated friend left the office. "As I told them in the commencement it would be, so it is happening. The want of a good tavern in Cedarville was over and over again alleged as one of the chief causes of our want of thrift, and when Slade opened the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' the man was almost glorified. The gentleman who has just left us failed not in laudation of the enterprising landlord; the more particularly, as the building of the new tavern advanced the price of ground on the street, and made him a few hundred dollars richer. Really, for a time, one might have thought, from the way people went on, that Simon Slade was going to make every man's fortune in Cedarville. But all that has been gained by a small advance in property, is as a grain of sand to a mountain, compared with the fearful demoralization that has followed."
I readily assented to this, for I had myself seen enough to justify the conclusion.
As I sat in the bar-room of the "Sickle and Sheaf" that evening, I noticed, soon after the lamps were lighted, the gentleman referred to in the above conversation, whose sons were represented as visitors to the bar, come in quietly, and look anxiously about the room. He spoke to no one, and, after satisfying himself that those he sought were not there, went out.
"What sent him here, I wonder?" muttered Slade, speaking partly to himself, and partly aside to Matthew, the bar-keeper.
"After the boys, I suppose," was answered.
"I guess the boys are old enough to take care of themselves."
"They ought to be," returned Matthew.
"And are," said Slade. "Have they been here this evening?"
"No, not yet."
While they yet talked together, two young men whom I had seen on the night before, and noticed particularly as showing signs of intelligence and respectability beyond the ordinary visitors at a bar-room, came in.
"John," I heard Slade say, in a low, confidential voice, to one of them, "your old man was here just now."
"No!" The young man looked startled--almost confounded.
"It's a fact. So you'd better keep shady."
"What did he want?"
"I don't know."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing. He just came in, looked around, and then went out."
"His face was as dark as a thunder-cloud," remarked Matthew.
"Is No. 4 vacant?" inquired one of the young men.
"Yes."
"Send us up a bottle of wine and some cigars. And when Bill Harding and Harry Lee come in, tell them where they can find us."
"All right," said Matthew. "And now, take a friend's advice and make yourselves scarce."
The young men left the room hastily. Scarcely had they departed, ere I saw the same gentleman come in, whose anxious face had, a little while before, thrown its shadow over the apartment. He was the father in search of his sons. Again he glanced around nervously; and this time appeared to be disappointed. As he entered, Slade went out.
"Have John and Wilson been here this evening?" he asked, coming up to the bar and addressing Matthew.
"They are not here;" replied Matthew, evasively.
"But haven't they been here?"
"They may have been here; I only came in from my supper a little while ago."
"I thought I saw them entering, only a moment or two ago."
"They're not here, sir." Matthew shook his head and spoke firmly.
"Where is Mr. Slade?"
"In the house, somewhere."
"I wish you would ask him to step here."
Matthew went out, but in a little while came back with word that the landlord was not to be found.
"You are sure the boys are not here?" said the man, with a doubting, dissatisfied manner.
"See for yourself, Mr. Harrison!"
"Perhaps they are in the parlor?"
"Step in, sir," coolly returned Matthew. The man went through the door into the sitting-room, but came back immediately.
"Not there?" said Matthew. The man shook his head. "I don't think you'll find them about here," added the bar-keeper.
Mr. Harrison--this was the name by which Matthew addressed him--stood musing and irresolute for some minutes. He could not be mistaken about the entrance of his sons, and yet they were not there. His manner was much perplexed. At length he took a seat, in a far corner of the bar-room, somewhat beyond the line of observation, evidently with the purpose of waiting to see if those he sought would come in. He had not been there long, before two young men entered, whose appearance at once excited his interest. They went up to the bar and called for liquor. As Matthew set the decanter before them, he leaned over the counter, and said something in a whisper.
"Where?" was instantly ejaculated, in surprise, and both of the young men glanced uneasily about the room. They met the eyes of Mr. Harrison, fixed intently upon them. I do not think, from the way they swallowed their brandy and water, that it was enjoyed very much.
"What the deuce is he doing here?" I heard one of them say, in a low voice.
"After the boys, of course."
"Have they come yet?"
Matthew winked as he answered, "All safe."
"In No. 4?"
"Yes. And the wine and cigars all waiting for you."
"Good."
"You'd better not go through the parlor. Their old man's not at all satisfied. He half suspects they're in the house. Better go off down the street, and come back and enter through the passage."
The young men, acting on this hint, at once retired, the eyes of Harrison following them out.
For nearly an hour Mr. Harrison kept his position, a close observer of all that transpired. I am very much in error, if, before leaving that sink of iniquity, he was not fully satisfied as to the propriety of legislating on the liquor question. Nay, I incline to the opinion, that, if the power of suppression had rested in his hands, there would not have been, in the whole state, at the expiration of an hour, a single dram-selling establishment. The goring of his ox had opened his eyes to the true merits of the question. While he was yet in the bar-room, young Hammond made his appearance. His look was wild and excited. First he called for brandy, and drank with the eagerness of a man long athirst.
"Where is Green?" I heard him inquire, as he set his glass upon the counter.
"Haven't seen anything of him since supper," was answered by Matthew.
"Is he in his room?"
"I think it probable."
"Has Judge Lyman been about here tonight?"
"Yes. He spouted here for half an hour against the temperance party, as usual, and then"--Matthew tossed his head toward the door leading to the sitting-room.
Hammond was moving toward this door, when, in glancing around the room, he encountered the fixed gaze of Mr. Harrison--a gaze that instantly checked his progress. Returning to the bar, and leaning over the counter, he said to Matthew:
"What has sent him here?"
Matthew winked knowingly.
"After the boys?" inquired Hammond.
"Yes."
"Where are they?"
"Up-stairs."
"Does he suspect this?"
"I can't tell. If he doesn't think them here now, he is looking for them to come in."
"Do they know he is after them?"
"Oh, yes."
"All safe then?"
"As an iron chest. If you want to see them, just rap at No. 4."
Hammond stood for some minutes leaning on the bar, and then, not once again looking toward that part of the room where Mr. Harrison was seated, passed out through the door leading to the street. Soon afterward Mr. Harrison departed.
Disgusted as on the night before, with the unceasing flow of vile, obscene, and profane language, I left my place of observation in the bar-room and sought the open air. The sky was unobscured by a single cloud, and the moon, almost at the full, shone abroad with more than common brightness. I had not been sitting long in the porch, when the same lady, whose movements had attracted my attention, came in sight, walking very slowly--the deliberate pace assumed, evidently, for the purpose of better observation. On coming opposite the tavern, she slightly paused, as on the evening before, and then kept on, passing down the street until she was beyond observation.
"Poor mother!" I was still repeating to myself, when her form again met my eyes. Slowly she advanced, and now came in nearer to the house. The interest excited in my mind was so strong, that I could not repress the desire I felt to address her, and so stepped from the shadow of the porch. She seemed startled, and retreated backward several paces.
"Are you in search of any one?" I inquired, respectfully.
The woman now stood in a position that let the moon shine full upon her face, revealing every feature. She was far past the meridian of life; and there were lines of suffering and sorrow on her fine countenance. I saw that her lips moved, but it was some time before I distinguished the words.
"Have you seen my son to-night? They say he comes here."
The manner in which this was said caused a cold thrill to run over me. I perceived that the woman's mind wandered. I answered:
"No, ma'am; I haven't seen any thing of him."
My tone of voice seemed to inspire her with confidence, for she came up close to me, and bent her face toward mine.
"It is a dreadful place," she whispered, huskily. "And they say he comes here. Poor boy! He isn't what he used to be."
"It is a very bad place," said I. "Come"--and I moved a step or two in the direction from which I had seen her approaching--"come, you'd better go away as quickly as possible."
"But if he's here," she answered, not moving from where she stood, "I might save him, you know."
"I am sure you won't find him, ma'am," I urged. "Perhaps he is home, now."
"Oh, no! no!" And she shook her head mournfully. "He never comes home until long after midnight. I wish I could see inside of the bar-room. I'm sure he must be there."
"If you will tell me his name, I will go in and search for him."
After a moment of hesitation she answered:
"His name is Willy Hammond."
How the name, uttered so sadly, and yet with such moving tenderness by the mother's lips, caused me to start--almost to tremble.
"If he is in the house, ma'am," said I, firmly, "I will see him for you." And I left her and went into the bar.
"In what room do you think I will find young Hammond?" I asked of the bar-keeper. He looked at me curiously, but did not answer. The question had come upon him unanticipated.
"In Harvey Green's room?" I pursued.
"I don't know, I am sure. He isn't in the house to my knowledge. I saw him go out about half an hour since."
"Green's room is No.----?"
"Eleven," he answered.
"In the front part of the house?"
"Yes."
I asked no further question, but went to No. 11, and tapped on the door. But no one answered the summons. I listened, but could not distinguish the slightest sound within. Again I knocked; but louder. If my ears did not deceive me, the chink of coin was heard. Still there was neither voice nor movement.
I was disappointed. That the room had inmates, I felt sure. Remembering, now, what I had heard about light being seen in this room through a rent in the curtain, I went down-stairs, and out into the street. A short distance beyond the house, I saw, dimly, the woman's form. She had only just passed in her movement to and fro. Glancing up at the window, which I now knew to be the one in Green's room, light through the torn curtain was plainly visible. Back into the house I went, and up to No. 11. This time I knocked imperatively; and this time made myself heard.
"What's wanted?" came from within. I knew the voice to be that of Harvey Green.
I only knocked louder. A hurried movement and the low murmur of voices was heard for some moments; then the door was unlocked and held partly open by Green, whose body so filled the narrow aperture that I could not look into the room. Seeing me, a dark scowl fell upon his countenance.
"What d'ye want?" he inquired, sharply.
"Is Mr. Hammond here? If so, he is wanted downstairs."
"No, he's not," was the quick answer. "What sent you here for him, hey?"
"The fact that I expected to find him in your room," was my firm answer.
Green was about shutting the door in my face, when some one placed a hand on his shoulder, and said something to him that I could not hear.
"Who wants to see him?" he inquired of me.
Satisfied, now, that Hammond was in the room, I said, slightly elevating my voice:
"His mother."
The words were an "open sesame" to the room. The door was suddenly jerked open, and with a blanching face, the young man confronted me.
"Who says my mother is down-stairs?" he demanded.
"I come from her in search of you," I said. "You will find her in the road, walking up and down in front of the tavern."
Almost with a bound he swept by me, and descended the stairway at two or three long strides. As the door swung open, I saw besides Green and Hammond, the landlord and Judge Lyman. It needed not the loose cards on the table near which the latter were sitting to tell me of their business in that room.
As quickly as seemed decorous, I followed Hammond. On the porch I met him, coming in from the road.
"You have deceived me, sir," said he, sternly--almost menacingly.
"No, sir!" I replied. "What I told you was but too true. Look! There she is now."
The young man sprung around, and stood before the woman, a few paces distant.
"Mother! oh, mother! what HAS brought you here?" he exclaimed, in an under tone, as he caught her arm, and moved away. He spoke--not roughly, nor angrily--but with respect--half reproachfulness--and an unmistakable tenderness.
"Oh, Willy! Willy!" I heard her answer. "Somebody said you came here at night, and I couldn't rest. Oh, dear. They'll murder you! I know they will. Don't, oh!--"
My ears took in the sense no further, though her pleading voice still reached my ears. A few moments, and they were out of sight.
Nearly two hours afterward, as I was ascending to my chamber, a man brushed quickly by me. I glanced after him, and recognized the person of young Hammond. He was going to the room of Harvey Green!
NIGHT THE SEVENTH.
SOWING THE WIND.
The state of affairs in Cedarville, it was plain, from the partial glimpses I had received, was rather desperate. Desperate, I mean, as regarded the various parties brought before my observation. An eating cancer was on the community, and so far as the eye could mark its destructive progress, the ravages were tearful. That its roots were striking deep, and penetrating, concealed from view, in many unsuspected directions, there could be no doubt. What appeared on the surface was but a milder form of the disease, compared with its hidden, more vital, and more dangerous advances.
I could not but feel a strong interest in some of these parties. The case of young Hammond had, from the first, awakened concern; and now a new element was added in the unlooked-for appearance of his mother on the stage, in a state that seemed one of partial derangement. The gentleman at whose office I met Mr. Harrison on the day before--the reader will remember Mr. H. as having come to the "Sickle and Sheath" in search of his son--was thoroughly conversant with the affairs of the village, and I called upon him early in the day in order to make some inquiries about Mrs. Hammond. My first question, as to whether he knew the lady, was answered by the remark:
"Oh, yes. She is one of my earliest friends."
The allusion to her did not seem to awaken agreeable states of mind. A slight shade obscured his face, and I noticed that he sighed involuntarily.
"Is Willy her only child?"
"Her only living child. She had four; another son, and two daughters; but she lost all but Willy when they were quite young. And," he added, after a pause,--"it would have been better for her, and for Willy, too, if he had gone to a better land with them."
"His course of life must be to her a terrible affliction." said I.
"It is destroying her reason," he replied, with emphasis, "He was her idol. No mother ever loved a son with more self-devotion than Mrs. Hammond loved her beautiful, fine-spirited, intelligent, affectionate boy. To say that she was proud of him, is but a tame expression. Intense love--almost idolatry--was the strong passion of her heart. How tender, how watchful was her love! Except when at school, he was scarcely ever separated from her. In order to keep him by her side, she gave up her thoughts to the suggestion and maturing of plans for keeping his mind active and interested in her society--and her success was perfect. Up to the age of sixteen or seventeen, I do not think he had a desire for other companionship than that of his mother. But this, you know, could not last. The boy's maturing thought must go beyond the home and social circle. The great world, that he was soon to enter, was before him; and through loopholes that opened here and there he obtained partial glimpses of what was beyond. To step forth into this world, where he was soon to be a busy actor and worker, and to step forth alone, next came in the natural order of progress. How his mother trembled with anxiety, as she saw him leave her side! Of the dangers that would surround his path, she knew too well; and these were magnified by her fears--at least so I often said to her. Alas! how far the sad reality has outrun her most fearful anticipations.
"When Willy was eighteen--he was then reading law--I think I never saw a young man of fairer promise. As I have often heard it remarked of him, he did not appear to have a single fault. But he had a dangerous gift--rare conversational powers, united with great urbanity of manner. Every one who made his acquaintance became charmed with his society; and he soon found himself surrounded by a circle of young men, some of whom were not the best companions he might have chosen. Still, his own pure instincts and honorable principles were his safeguard; and I never have believed that any social allurements would have drawn him away from the right path, if this accursed tavern had not been opened by Slade."
"There was a tavern here before the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was opened?" said I.
"Oh, yes. But it was badly kept, and the bar-room visitors were of the lowest class. No respectable young man in Cedarville would have been seen there. It offered no temptations to one moving in Willy's circle. But the opening of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' formed a new era. Judge Hammond--himself not the purest man in the world, I'm afraid--gave his countenance to the establishment, and talked of Simon Slade as an enterprising man who ought to be encouraged. Judge Lyman and other men of position in Cedarville followed his bad example; and the bar-room of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was at once voted respectable. At all times of the day and evening you could see the flower of our young men going in and out, sitting in front of the bar-room, or talking hand-and-glove with the landlord, who, from a worthy miller, regarded as well enough in his place, was suddenly elevated into a man of importance, whom the best in the village were delighted to honor.